“Kabul Dreams” of peace

A band festival held in New Delhi has been the perfect chance for young musicians to make a name for themselves. Afghan rock band “Kabul Dreams” speaks for the generation who wants a return to a normal, peaceful life.

Coming from Afghanistan, they sing about girls, love – everything but war. “Kabul Dreams” defines their style as indie rock.

Band guitarist Siddique Ahmad says it is because the band’s main influences are Brit pop and indie rock bands.

“When the three of us got together, all of us were listening to the same bands, and we were inspired by the same bands,” Ahmad told RT. “So that’s why we play this style – we like it.”

The band plays music they believe is relevant to the Afghan youth today who are yearning for a normal life.

“People have the wrong image of Afghanistan – they think it’s only about suicide bombings and rockets,” said Siddique Ahmad. “But there are people living in Afghanistan – they like music and are listening to music – they are living normal lives. There is a big population of youngsters who love this kind of music, and they are sick and tired of war.”

Kabul Dreams played in New Delhi recently at the South Asian Bands Festival featuring 15 rock bands from nine countries. For many of them, breaking into the music scene was a dream come true.

Sanjeev Bhargava, one of the festival’s organizers, says it is a pity that not all young talented bands have the possibility to express themselves.

“It is very unfortunate that some countries don’t get the exposure that they really need. It may be Afghanistan, it may be Myanmar,” Bhargava told RT. “Their bands are very good – they need exposure and performance at ‘the big match’. They need the ‘big match temperament’, they have the talent.”

When Pakistani band “Strings” performed at the festival, the audience cheered them on, putting aside the recent strained ties between India and Pakistan.

“Leave politics and all that aside. It’s music. Let music be music. You know, borders don’t matter to music,” said Rahul Sen from the audience.